Am i Addicted??!!

[Brian850]

[This message has been edited by Brian850 (edited 07-29-2003).]

[GAL WITH CHRONIC PAIN]

Brian,

I'm sorry, but it does sound like you are addicted to the diphenhydramine. I couldn't say for sure whether it's a physical or psychological addiction, but, does it really matter? An addiction is an addiction.

Those OTC sleep aids, identical to Benadryl, can backfire on you, too. When I used to take them occasionally, I'd get "kicky legs" the third or fourth night of taking them in a row.

I don't know what 20 times the recommended dose will do to you, but it can't be good, that's for sure.

Have you talked to any doctor about this? I've had insomnia problems for years. My psychiatrist gives me medication to sleep, and changes it when I build up a tolerance to one. I started out taking Restoril, then switched to Prosom, then Ambien, then back to Prosom again. All monitored by the doctor, of course!

I now take 60 mg of Dalmane to help me sleep. It's working wonders. Also, I take 20 mg of Elavil, to help me sleep deeper, because I have Fibromyalgia, which is a whole 'nother story.

A good doctor will prescribe you something, but you have to give it a chance to work, and never, never go over the dose he/she gives you. Prosom is very, very good, for a year or so. Go to a doctor, and explain how you have to take so much OTC meds to sleep. I think Ambien is the only one that is NOT in the benzodiazapine category, you'd have to check on that.

Go to [url="http://www.rxlist.com"]www.rxlist.com[/url] , and look up the medications I've told you about. Ask your doctor about each of them. What works wonders for one person, may not help the next. It's kind of trial and error.

Let me know how you make out, OK? Good luck.

[annita]

hi there! i agree with the above post! i think that you should definately talk to a GOOD doctor. it sounds like you are addicted to me. try to talk to one who is familiar with addiction issues and mabye see if you can get the problem treated and well as the symptoms!!
good luck!! annita

[Brian850]

[This message has been edited by Brian850 (edited 07-29-2003).]

[Brookej]

To Gal With Chronic Pain,
Could you explain to me what you mean by "kicky legs"? You are the first person I have ever heard who has mentioned this. I have occasionally taken Benadryl (or generic equivalent) for sleep in the past. Usually I was OK with 25 mg. but whenever I took 50 mg. I usually didn't sleep well and I had a weird sensation or reaction that involved my legs. I really can't even describe it and I haven't seen anything like it mentioned in the literature but I never take 50 mg. anymore. I take Melatonin instead and sometimes you would think I had taken Seconal or something - the way it sometimes knocks me out. I had Seconal once when I was in the hospital years ago and I was down for the count for hours. Anyway, I was just wondering.